Period.8 by Chris Crutcher

Summary

Period. 8 is another name for lunch.  A time when students from all walks of life can share what they are feeling and analyze our ever confusing and overbearing world.  The students feel safe during Period 8; regardless of what might be happening in their lives. To help them out is a 40-year teaching veteran Mr. Logsdon, affectionately known as Mr. Logs.  Having taught for over 40 years, Mr. Logs is close to retirement, but wants to make sure that these group of students finish the year.  Trouble starts off when Paulie decides to come clean with his girlfriend Hannah and confess that he cheated on her.  Seeing an opening, Arney decides to make a move on Hannah which causes trouble within the love triangle.  But what should have been noticed was the disappearance of Mary Well, a straight A student who was seen as sweet and perfect.  Mary’s disappearance at first was blamed on her overbearing father; but just about the time people began to worry that something might have happened to Mary; she shows ups and states that she just need some time off.  But that excuse does not sit well with Paulie and Hannah who investigate the issue and find out that Arney was pimping out Mary against her will.  But luckily Arnie was caught and sent to jail.  

Commentary on Strengths]

Chris Crutcher does an amazing job with Period. 8. It is a realistic contemporary fiction novel that deals with a mystery that will leave the reader guessing until the end.  There are many issues that most young adults will be able to relate to because they face these issues on a daily basis; but sometimes do not feel comfortable discussing them out in public or even to close friends.  The strong characters that were created are broken and real like everyday kids.  Young adults will also relate to the idea of participating in sports as a way of letting out steam and frustration.  

Readers also enjoyed Second Impact by David Klass; Brother, Brother by Clay Carmichael; I'm with Stupid by Geoff Harbach; Panic by Sharon M. Draper; and  Pieces  by Chris Lynch

Additional books written by Chris Crutcher include Deadline; Ironman; Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes; Whale Talk; and The Sledding Hill

Teachers can find ideas to incorporate this book into their lesson plans at the following website: https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=34690&a=1

      Crutcher, C. (2014). Period. 8. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

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